Off Season 2024/25

[SpaceMonkey]

Hopefully I don’t regret this, but I’m assuming the q is genuine...

Breakdowns have been more free-for-all in the past but what often happened was:

1. defending teams would just throw a tangle of bodies at the breakdown to pin the ball and wait for a scrum to blow up; or
2. attacking teams would do the same thing to seal the ball off, stop defences from contesting, and hog possession for 25-30 phases while waiting for someone to make a mistake.

It might sound counterintuitive, but breakdown rules are actually meant to improve flow by allowing attacking teams to recycle ball cleanly, while also still allowing defenders a fair contest for possession. And that’s the crux of union - always contestable possession at all times... breakdowns, set pieces, kicks.

When it’s played and officiated well, you get free flowing unpredictability and its brilliant to watch.

Good attacking teams can still build phases (much like a set of 6), but good defenders could still effect a turnover at any stage and launch a counterattacks. For another RL analogy, think of the scramble when someone unexpectedly strips the ball and teams suddenly need to transition from attack to defence, or vice versa.

The challenge is the subjective nature of many rugby rules means ref and player behaviour play a massive role in how a game flows. An overly pedantic ref or particularly cynical (or shit) players, and the whole thing descends into a stop-start eye sore. And unfortunately that still happens far too often.

A lot of it comes down to player safety I think. Back in the good old days teams would do as you say and throw bodies at the breakdown to slow the ball, and the counter to that was to ruck the bodies out of the way… back then if your flankers weren’t finishing the game with torn jerseys and sprig marks in their backs you questioned whether they were doing their job properly, and incidents like Buck Shelford finishing a game with one of his balls hanging out of a torn nutsack weren’t uncommon. When they clamped down on over-vigorous rucking and eventually pretty much banned it altogether, the rule makers had to make rules to keep bodies out of the ruck that would otherwise be laying there with no consequences.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Benji not mucking around, 5 players issued breach notices and 2 to front the board over coming back unfit

 

[Blair]

Benji not mucking around, 5 players issued breach notices and 2 to front the board over coming back unfit.

Ahh, the old KFC contract clause strikes again.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Brandon Smith calls Papenhuysen “small and fragile and only plays 30% of the games” when saying the Storm should look at cutting him and also has a crack at the Tigers players about their lack of fitness

Is the bloke serious ? His body is hardly a pristine temple, he spends plenty of time on the sidelines injured, and he puts shit up his nose

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Addo-Carr to the Eels a done deal

Rumour that Papenhuysen to Bulldogs is extremely close

Ezra Mam officially charged by the cops, Brisbane taking the line expected and doing nothing

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Addo-Carr to the Eels a done deal

Rumour that Papenhuysen to Bulldogs is extremely close

Ezra Mam officially charged by the cops, Brisbane taking the line expected and doing nothing

I'd be interested in Ezra just like many other clubs that have the money.

He's too good for them to cut and this is a business at the end of the day.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Fancy a bloke that should be behind bars feeling hard done by being offered that type of money. Absolute plankton


LODGE SAVES NRL CAREER

Matt Lodge has confirmed he has quit Manly but the former Broncos enforcer insists his NRL career is not over.

The controversial prop is adamant he will not be forced into early retirement and will definitely be playing in the NRL next season.

Lodge was hoping to stay at the Sea Eagles next season, but the parties were unable to agree terms after Manly tabled a two-year deal worth around $150,000 a season.

Lodge has played for five NRL clubs since his debut for Wests Tigers in 2014 and is poised to ink a deal with his sixth team.

Lodge refused to disclose the identity of the club – he has been linked with the Dragons – but insists he will not be moving to the English Super League.

“I will definitely be playing in the NRL next year,” he said.

“It’s good to know I will have my future sorted.

“I had a tough start to the year but when I got healthy, I finished the year well with Manly.

“If I didn’t know I had plenty left in the tank, I wouldn’t be playing on, but I’m excited about the years ahead and I will be ready to go next year.”

The 29-year-old prop accepts the Sea Eagles have salary-cap pressures and has no issue with Manly coach Anthony Seibold.

“They offered me a two-year deal,” he said.

They wanted me to play that starting role with Taniela (Paseka), but it takes a toll on your body doing that.

“It was a lot to ask to do two years as a starting front-rower for minimum wage.

“I really thought about it, I wanted to meet them in the middle somewhere, but they had no salary cap space.

“I am fine with ‘Seibs’ and everyone at Manly, but I can’t play for that amount when that sort of money is given to a kid just coming out of a school who hasn’t played a game of NRL.

“I loved the club and the squad of players, but I have four boys and bills to pay, so I had to look after my future.”

Peter Badel and Travis Meyn